Reigning Asian champions Urawa Reds have signed attacker Newcastle Jets attacker Andrew Nabbout on a full transfer from Newcastle Jets, adding to the list of Australian players who are making the jump to the J.League this season.
Newcastle are reported to have received a $500,000 transfer fee for the 25-year-old winger, who recorded 10 goals and six assists in the 2017-18 A-League campaign.
“What a pleasure it’s been playing for this club and this town!” Nabbout wrote on his Instagram account. “I will always have a spot in my heart for this place and I only take the best of memories away with me!”
Nabbout will join Slovenian striker Zlatan, Brazilian defender Mauricio, and Curacao international Martinus as the club’s fourth foreign player, filling an AFC roster slot that has remained vacant since Matthew Spiranovic’s departure in July 2012.
“I’m very happy to join Japan’s biggest club,” Nabbout told the Urawa Reds website. “I look forward to meeting my teammates in Japan and I can’t wait to play in front of our supporters. I want to do my best to help the club improve.”
Nabbout is the fifth Australian to sign with a J.League club this season, joining JEF United Chiba defender Jason Geria, Nagoya Grampus goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, V-Varen Nagasaki winger Ben Halloran, and Tochigi SC defender Diogo Ferreira.
Urawa Reds are 0-1-1 to start the 2018 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League campaign after an opening day draw at FC Tokyo and Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
